Garmin's premium heart rate monitor with dual transmission and advanced running dynamics.
Released in September 2020 Garmin's HRM-PRO chest strap is the amalgamation of several different iterations (the most recent HRM-Dual, the blue HRM-Tri and the red HRM-Run) into a single, premium strap that does it all. Bluetooth, Ant+, onboard memory, swimming, cycling and advanced running analytics all inside the one, waterproof yellow unit. It's about time!
Key Features:
Heart rate
Garmin describe it as 'easy & accurate', which is hard to deny. Once paired with your device it tracks runs, swims & pretty much anything else that builds up a sweat. It uses ANT+® connectivity and Bluetooth® Low Energy Technology to constantly and reliably transmit real-time heart rate data to where ever you need it. I connect it with my watch, phone, turbo and tablet without any trouble, along with apps such as Zwift, Today's Plan and equipment down the gym.
Running Dynamics
This is a unique selling point for Garmin. Alongside your heart rate the HRM-Pro captures a variety of running dynamics that can help you improve your form. Data points such as vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length & vertical ratio just to start. See full details here.
Store and forward your data
Unlike the previous HRM-Dual Strap, this device has inbuilt memory to store your data onboard. This is a game changer for swimming or if you run without your watch as it will store the data and upload it all when you next connect. It also stores steps, calories and intensity minutes which sync to your watch too.
Comfort and convenience
The HRM-Pro has a soft elasticated strap with a simple 1 hook closure, and a battery that lasts a year. The sensors are completely flush on the inside of the strap, so once you get the size adjustment right (which can take some fiddling) you will forget it's even there. The unit itself has also been re-designed with a seamless bond to the strap, and a smooth rubberised yellow housing to prevent any unwanted 'digging-in' during exercise.
What's new:
Addition of Garmin's Running Dynamics data
The ability to capture & store data without connecting to a device (previously only available in the blue HRM-Tri and red HRM-Run).
New unit: permanently and seamlessly attached to the strap. The often rusty 'popper' attachment of the HRM-Dual has (thankfully) gone.
New design: rounded unit with a flush, rubberised yellow case to prevent digging-in whilst exercising.
What's in the box:
The strap & instructions. Nice & simple.
First Impressions:
Does exactly what it says on the tin. If the setup is as easy as the unpacking and adjusting, we're all good.
The good bits
(+) Very comfortable:
Light weight, soft material, seamless sensors and the strap is considerably wider than the unit to avoid any pinching or rubbing.
(+) 1 year Battery life:
I've seen these last nearly 18 months before needing a battery change.
(+) Easy to connect:
Just put it on, find the pairing option on your device and it will be there. If you connect in the Garmin Connect Mobile app you can also change the device name, if (like me) you have a lot of devices kicking around.
(+) Easy to Sync:
End an activity and it just happens.
The bad bits
(-) Changing the battery
The yellow casing pops off easily enough to expose 4 tiny screws, but here is where your trouble begins. The screws are less than 2mm wide so you may need to buy a tinee-tiny screwdriver, and beware - it is very easy to over-tighten them. Once removed the top of the unit pulls off to expose the battery, with a small red rubber seal around it. This looks like a rubber band (stretched around the recessed battery slot) and will need to be replaced before closing. This is the key to the waterproofing, and if you get it wrong (twisted, not in the right place) water ingress will kill the battery & the device. Detailed images a little further down.
(-) It's expensive
At the time of writing, the HRM-Pro Strap is listed on Garmin.com at £119.99 with a 6 week wait for delivery. It has come on/off the sale regularly since the release of Garmin's improved HRM-Pro-Plus Strap.
(-) Can be uncomfortable for girls (when running)
It is worth flagging that getting the adjustment 'just right' seems slightly trickier for women. I have heard a few complaints about rubbing underneath a sports bra when running (not when cycling). Usually this does resolve with some tension adjustment, and the new new rounded casing and rubberised yellow cover seems to have at least reduced any movement or digging that was seen with the old HRM-Dual strap. But it's still not right.
(-) Reliability
I have had 2 warranty replacements over 2 years. The first was because it just stopped working (2 battery changes and a lot of unpairing & re-pairing was not enough to resuscitate it). Initially the heart rate was way off, and the next day it wouldn't connect at all. I assume it is a known problem as Garmin Customer Services sent a replacement out straight away (despite it being 10 months old).
(-) Repeat issue with the Seal
This is the real kick in the satchel. My second HRM Pro just stopped working about 4 months in. Close inspection spotted a bulge in the top cap caused by water ingress and a split battery. See the photos' below; including bent top cap, significant water exposure, damage to the electronics and acid residue from the damaged battery. All in, a bit of a mess and a complete write off. It's worth flagging that I had not replaced the battery or removed the top cap, so this is a manufacturing issue.
Two warranty failures within a few months in no bueno, so in the end I invested in the HRM Pro-Plus. you can see how i got on with that here.
The silver lining is that on this occasion, the Garmin Customer Service was actually very good. I raised a ticket online and had a replacement in my hand within a few days.
Summary
This should be the Ross Edgley of HRM Straps - accurate, easy to fit, and good at everything you could possible throw at it. Truth be told it is all of those things, except of course at swimming. The water issues are rare but ultimately write the device off, and at a hefty £120 that's one hell of an expensive problem to fix. To be fair the customer service team were very helpful and I had a warranty replacement within a few days - but having to go through it again a few months later shows that this isn't a one off problem.
So what's the verdict? Don't buy this. Instead spend the extra £10 to buy the Garmin HRM Pro+ (yup they just added a plus) which is exactly the same except they have fixed the seal issue. It's also has a twist to close battery compartment, so no need for fiddly screw drivers. Full review of this improved version coming soon.
How I Tested
I have been using this strap for well over a year now - across cycling, running and swimming - in everything from 10min jogs to 72km alpine Ultra's. So rest assured I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly! I have a separate article comparing the most recent Dual, Pro and Pro+ Garmin straps here, and would certainly recommend checking it out before deciding on a purchase.
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